Six Nations 2021

[dessiato]

I didn't bother to watch the last ten minutes last night, it seemed a foregone conclusion. I'm pleased I was recording it and watched Wales lose the game. Those two yellows cost them everything.

 

[two sheds]

Well Scotland might stop France from getting the bonus point









ah no as you were

 

[bendeus]

So, Elpenor - your Lions XXIII........

 

[gawkrodger]

message yesterday from a Welsh mate

'I feel fucking ill. Sick. Fucking puking my fucking eyes out fucking sick.'

 

[Elpenor]

Ok - this is based on form shown over the 6 Nations. If you didn’t play, you weren’t considered.

Where it’s been tight, I’ve gone for previous form in a Lions shirt and a history of putting in strong performances in big games.

I’m also not picking any project players who have qualified via residency - this is a personal choice - moving when you’re still in primary school like Faletau is clearly not the same thing.

Starting XV has 8 Welsh, 3 English, 2 Scots and 2 Irish.

Wyn Jones
Ken Owens
Tadgh Furlong
Maro Itoje
Alun Wyn Jones (c)
Tadgh Beirne
Tom Curry
Taulupe Faletau

Gareth Davies
Finn Russell
Louis Rees-Zammit
Jonathan Davies
George North
Anthony Watson
Stuart Hogg

Luke Cowan Dickie
Cian Healy
Kyle Sinckler
Iain Henderson
Hamish Watson
Conor Murray
Dan Biggar
Garry Ringrose

Front row have been consistent, doing basics well which is needed given the Boks set piece prowess

Itoje is perhaps dubious but here I look at his track record, and how well he worked with AWJ before who can hopefully reign him in a bit. The back row offers ferocious carrying, tenacity at the breakdown and genuine line out options - again looking to dominate at the set piece which is essential. Curry will be England captain in the autumn and I’d probably expect him to captain a few tour games for the Lions.

I’m not really sure that there’s a great half back combination which will complement each other, hence having Murray and Biggar riding the pine in case an alternative approach is needed. The way I’d like my team to play they would be coming on to close out games not chase them. I’m more than a bit worried about Russell having to kick goals for me. If Ben Youngs could tell me in advance which of the test matches he’d have a stormer in he’d probably be start at 9. As he’s so inconsistent he doesn’t tour!

I feel North offers the ball carrying presence the Lions need, and I’ve liked Davies at 12. Could easily swap them for Henshaw and Ringrose and the team would not suffer for it. The back 3 picks itself but Sanjay Williams can feel a bit hard done by.

 

[Elpenor]

BT Sports team of the tournament (stripping out the three French players they picked Baille, DuPont and Jalibert) only differed from my Lions selection by one player - Henshaw for Jonathan Davies.

 

[sleaterkinney]

No Sexton, Earls or Keenan?. We need someone secure under the high ball.

 

[bendeus]

No Sexton, Earls or Keenan?. We need someone secure under the high ball.

This is a pisstake, right?

 

[Ax^]

have a feeling sexton may start if just for nostalgia

as someone to come off the bench

 

[Elpenor]

As ever, a chasm between what we want to happen and what we think will happen

 

[Ax^]

last prediction i had was ireland would have a painful six nations


I'll stand by my last one even if its wrong

 

[stavros]

Has the Lions captain been chosen? AWJ?

 

[Elpenor]

Must be favourite I’d think. I still reckon Tom Curry is the leftfield option

 

[bendeus]

So Scotland's ability to pick a full strength side is hobbled by Prem Rugby only agreeing to release 5 of their players vs France. Scarcely believable that France, having breached Covid rules through their own idiocy will now be advantaged rather than disadvantaged as a result. I can see them getting the score they need as a result, which would be really fucking harsh on us.

 

[stavros]

Must be favourite I’d think. I still reckon Tom Curry is the leftfield option

Sexton?

 

[bendeus]

Sexton?

Gatland doesn't like backs as captain

 

[bendeus]

My Lions XXIII, btw, based on injuries coming back as well as form. 7 English, 4 Irish, 2 Scots, 9 Welsh

Hogg, Watson, North, Tuilagi, Ford, Murray, LRZ

Wyn Jones, The Sheriff, Furlong, Beirne, AWJ, Navidi, Curry, Faletau

Bench:
Itoje, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Porter, Tipuric, Tomos Williams, Russell, Liam

Try as I might I can't find a starting spot for itoje. At his best he's arguably the best lock in the NH. This season he's nowhere near that. A penalty machine whose antics are now closely scrutinised by the refs. He's lucky to get a bench spot tbh.

Navidi is often overlooked but not by me. He has been one of the standout flankers this tournament in attack and defence and absolutely merits a place. I've put Tips on the bench both because his tackle success rate has been the best in the tournament, he provides a superb option at the lineout and, like it or not, he links better than any other opensidr in the world. I appreciate that there is bias here - I proper luvs him.

Watson over Adams because I'm trying to be even handed, not because I believe he's any better. That said, he's a quality player and one of the standout Saes performers

LRZ - kid is an absolute specimen - one of those once in a generation type players with gas unparalleled in the modern game at the moment. Just love to watch him and he doesn't do that annoying angry face air punch when he scores like May does.

Hogg picks himself pretty much - he's quality and growing as a player now he's captain.

North has had a superb tournament at 13, exemplified again by a hell of a shift against France - constantly breaking the first tackle and solid on defence. Him running off Tuilagi would present a massive threat.

Halfbacks - meh, our weakest link. I've picked Ford for his all round game. Lots of question marks for me still over Russell (and, imo, Gatland doesn't like him)

Also Murray, both on the basis of his performance against England and also for his defence and tactical kicking. Tomos a bit of a leftfield choice but I think he has the potential to be the best of the rest and may just start to realise that. Wouldn't trust GD - too many brainfarts.

Faletau picks himself

Furlong picks himself

Wyn Jones because he's the form TH of the 6N and absolutely merits his place.

Beirne picks himself. I'm choosing him at lock to shoehorn Navidi in.

Liam on the bench because he's quality and can cover across the back three and centre if required.

Shoot away!

 

[Elpenor]

Wyn Jones - you meant LH! You also have two tight head on your bench.

Decent team, I agree that half backs are the area where there is an excess of mediocrity. I’ve not seen enough of Tomos Williams to form an opinion but he gets a lot of good press. Agree about Itoje, he needs to show form but will probably be taken even if he doesn’t.

When I picked mine I realised I was leaving out Navidi, Liam Williams and in particular Tipuric who I think is a wonderful player.

it’s just been announced the tour will be in South Africa which I think is “proper”.

 

[bendeus]

Wyn Jones - you meant LH! You also have two tight head on your bench.

Decent team, I agree that half backs are the area where there is an excess of mediocrity. I’ve not seen enough of Tomos Williams to form an opinion but he gets a lot of good press. Agree about Itoje, he needs to show form but will probably be taken even if he doesn’t.

When I picked mine I realised I was leaving out Navidi, Liam Williams and in particular Tipuric who I think is a wonderful player.

it’s just been announced the tour will be in South Africa which I think is “proper”.

Yeah, sorry, got myself all confuzzled. I do know that Wyn Jones plays at LH

And didn't mean to include two THs on the bench. Mako is bang out of form, Genge is a wanker so Kilcoyne or Healy, mebbe?

 

[flypanam]

Yeah, sorry, got myself all confuzzled. I do know that Wyn Jones plays at LH

And didn't mean to include two THs on the bench. Mako is bang out of form, Genge is a wanker so Kilcoyne or Healy, mebbe?

Porter can play both sides. He was originally a LH. I can't muster up any enthusiasm for Lions.

 

[bendeus]

Porter can play both sides. He was originally a LH. I can't muster up any enthusiasm for Lions.

You can't ever muster enthusiasm for the Lions

I'd imagine this year has honed your antipathy further

 

[bendeus]

BTW, I had 4 Welsh in the entire extended squad going in to the start of the 6N and probably only two guaranteed test players. Shows how much Pivac has turned our fortunes around

 

[flypanam]

You can't ever muster enthusiasm for the Lions

I'd imagine this year has honed your antipathy further

Not really, I'd like to see the players get a rest. And thats one of my dislikes of the thing added to fuck the SH Unions and the big cash injection they get from the tours. Two years out from the WC can't but feeling that having the Lions makes doing well at the WC (ie one of the four 'Home' nations winning it) harder.

 

[Elpenor]

Not really, I'd like to see the players get a rest. And thats one of my dislikes of the thing added to fuck the SH Unions and the big cash injection they get from the tours. Two years out from the WC can't but feeling that having the Lions makes doing well at the WC (ie one of the four 'Home' nations winning it) harder.

That must explain Ireland’s World Cup quarter final record

 

[flypanam]

That must explain Ireland’s World Cup quarter final record

Nah, we're just shit. The IRFU should be arguing for the WC to be brought forward a year.

 

[Pickman's model]

Nah, we're just shit. The IRFU should be arguing for the WC to be brought forward a year.

or flushed, one or the other

 

[sleaterkinney]

So Scotland's ability to pick a full strength side is hobbled by Prem Rugby only agreeing to release 5 of their players vs France. Scarcely believable that France, having breached Covid rules through their own idiocy will now be advantaged rather than disadvantaged as a result. I can see them getting the score they need as a result, which would be really fucking harsh on us.

Get a grip, if it wasn't for the refs you'd be nowhere near.

 

[bendeus]

Get a grip, if it wasn't for the refs you'd be nowhere near.

And this year's award for the most clumsy wind up attempt goes to.....

 

[editor]

Get a grip, if it wasn't for the refs you'd be nowhere near.

The soreness of the loserdom impresses mightily.

 

[stavros]

Try as I might I can't find a starting spot for itoje. At his best he's arguably the best lock in the NH. This season he's nowhere near that. A penalty machine whose antics are now closely scrutinised by the refs. He's lucky to get a bench spot tbh.

How much of that is down to Sarries playing in the second tier? None of their England contingent were any good in the 6N, although Maitland wasn't bad for Scotland.